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Col Solare Winery Red Mountain Washington

Episode 16 | Tasting Room Etiquette and More, with April Reddout

April Reddout

Guest Services Manager, Col Solare Winery | Chief Judge, 2019 Cascadia Wine Competition

Tasting Room Etiquette and Leveling up your Game

This episode is Part 2 of 2 with April Reddout and she’ll get you ready for your next wine adventure with her insights around tasting room etiquette. No perfume, really? Not if you want to interfere with the true essence of the wine, or anyone else’s experience. Learn more about April’s suggestions for seriously enjoying your favorite tasting rooms.

What Goes into Wine Scores?

April reveals what goes into judging a wine and how to react to wine scores as a consumer.

And if that wasn’t already enough great information, April clarifies five commonly held beliefs about wine.

What is Palette Fatigue?

But first, Dave and Sandi talk about the ultimate enemy of any extended wine tasting experience, Palette Fatigue! Most wine lovers assume that it occurs when your nose and taste buds get tired, but there’s research that it may be a result of your brain being overloaded with too many similar and overly familiar inputs within a short time span. Listen and learn tips on what you can do to stave off this affliction.

Visit Col Solare Winery
Visit Chateau Set. Michelle Winery

April Reddout started in wine in 2008, curious and ready to learn. A part-time job in a tasting room in Prosser led to full-time, which led to management and the desire to keep learning. April enjoys helping other people learn about wine in an approachable and non-intimidating setting and strives for each guest experience to be positive and inspiring.

April judges on panels for Great Northwest Wine, Winepress Northwest and the San Francisco Chronicle. She enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for great wines and telling the story of Washington wine, in particular.

Col Solare tasting room, Red Mountain, WA

Cozy Col Solare tasting room

The deep, red color of Col Solare’s Cabernet Sauvignon perfectly showcases Red Mountain

Enjoy an elegant tasting lineup at Col Solare.

Daydream and sip on the patio overlooking the Red Mountain landscape.

Episode 31 | Brian Carter: The Perfect Blend

Brian Carter

Brian Carter Cellars

Brian Carter is one of the most influential winemakers in Washington and specifically known as the ‘Blend King.’ Brian has a 40-year career, including having spent time at the legendary Chateau Montelena in California (Judgement of Paris!). Brian Carter Cellars has been a fixture Woodinville since establishing his winery in 2006 and is expanding to the waterfront in Vancouver, WA. He has recently garnered the 2018 ‘Winery of Distinction’ at the 23rd Northwest Wine Summit and many ‘Best of Category’ and ‘Best of Show’ awards.

On this episode, Brian describes why it’s important to recognize a balanced wine and provides a fascinating education on native vs commercial yeast and their impact. He describes his love of sight blending, his current food and wine pairing favorites and more.

Visit Brian Carter Cellars

Champagne (… and beyond) 101

Get ready for the New Year with sparkling wines! During this month of celebration, we want you to learn more about Champagne and other sparkling wines. We quickly breakdown the types of sparkling wines out there in the world and the Traditional Method for making Champagne. And we help you understand the sparkling styles you’ll find on bottle labels and what they mean.

Get Kramer Vineyards 2018 Celebrate Müller-Thurgau

Hand harvested, foot crushed, and pressed. Delicate aromatics with flavors of lime, green apple, passion fruit, white peach, and a hint of grass and minerality. Truly unique!

Get Montinore Estate NV Vivacé

Beautiful white wine blend of estate-grown Gewürztraminer, Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Gris and Riesling

Get Lucien Albrecht Cremant D’Alsace, Brut Rosé

Consistently good and pairs with a wider variety of food.

Get Barbier Louvet, L’Héritage du Serge Brut Premier Cru Champagne

A full bodied Brut. with a golden color and ripe apple aromatics. A great Champagne for the price.

Learn more about André Jacquart Brut Expérience 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne

André Jacquart is a true “grower Champagne” – run by the 5th generation, the Domaine encompasses 24 hectares of vines in the Côte de Blancs. This 100% Chardonnay is vinified in a combination of stainless steel and old oak barrels. The wine is aged for 5 years on the lees before disgorgement.

Thank you, Taub Family Companies for sending us samples of sparkling wine from Champagne,the Loire Valley, Alsace, Italy and Spain.

Brain Carter, winemaker at Brian Carter Cellars

Brain Carter, the Blend King!

Brian Carter working the vineyards

Brian Carter Cellars was awarded the 2018 ‘Winery of Distinction’ award at the 23rd Northwest Wine Summit.

Cozy fireplace in the Brian Carter Cellars Member’s Room.

Window and patio with a view from the Brian Carter Cellars Member’s Room.

Brian Carter Cellars has a beautiful lineup to taste. The 2017 Abracadabra Rosé was awarded ‘Best of Show’ at the 2018 Washington State Wine competition.

The 2015 Corrida is a Spanish red blend with Tempranillo.

Sparkling wine from Champagne, Alsace, and Oregon.

Decanted Podcast Virtual Zoom wine tasting

Episode 42 | 2020—What a Year.

**2020 and our Best Of in Wine**

Don’t let 2020 kick you as you head out the door into 2021. We drank a lot of wine this year (didn’t we all?) and here’s our Best Of in Wine.

Yes, yes, we could have included DOZENS to this list like Cayuse, Horsepower, Passing Time, Force Majeure, etc. etc. but some of these beauties aren’t widely purchasable or they need to lay down for a while. So, this represents what came out of our wine cellar and online shopping that you can grab up too!

Plus, events, tasting rooms, virtual events, COVID, and more.

Top Tasters

Best White Wines—Two Vintners 2019 Grenache Blanc (WA) and Devision Vintners 2019 Sauvignon Blanc (WA)

Best Rosé—Sashay Wines 2019 Rosé by Shae Frichette (WA)

Best Orange Wines—Troon Vineyard 2019 Kubli Bench Amber (OR) and Two Vintners 2019 “From Mars” (WA)

Best “Unusual” Wine—Sabelli-Frisch 2018 Lanterna Flame Tokay (CA)

Best Pinot Noir—Joseph Swan Vineyards 2011 Pinot Noir Trenton Estate (CA) and Big Table Farm’s 2017 Sunnyside Pinot Noir (OR)

Best Syrah—Big Table Farm, 2016 Funk Estate Vineyard Syrah (OR) and Devison Vintners 2018 Beneath the Stones (WA)

Best Rhone Style Blends—2017 Clos St. Michel Chateauneuf-Du-Pape (FR) and Cairdeas Winery, the 2017 Caislean an Papa (WA)

Best “Right Bank” (Merlot/Merlot dominant)—2015 Chateau Rouget Pomerol (FR) and 2015 CheckMate End Game (BC)

Best Dessert Wine—Vista Alegre 40 year Tawny Port and Tildio Winery, 2018 Estate Port (WA)

2011 Joseph Swan Pinot Noir

2014 Chateau Rouget Pomerol

Sabelli-Frisch Flame Tokay

Big Table Farm wine home delivery with personalized card

Troon Vineyards Kubli Bench Amber

Vista Alegre 40 year Tawny

Bar Cotto take-out

The Vault in Maltby Two Vintners outdoor tasting

Decanted Podcast e-biking in Lake Chelan

Karma Vineyards wine and whiskey tasting, Lake Chelan

Siren Song patio, Lake Chelan

Mellisoni Vineyards tasting room

View of Lake Chelan from Mellisoni Vineyards tasting room

Alexandria Nicole Cellars Tiny House stay

Pond at Chateau Lill, Woodinville, WA

Gazebo at Chateau Lill, Woodinville, WA

Ponzi Vineyards tasting room with a view

Episode 25 | Inspired wines crafted in Lake Chelan

Charlie & Lacey Lybecker

Cairdeas Winery

Cairdeas (pronounced, “Cardis”) was founded in 2009 by Charlie & Lacey Lybecker. Charlie pulls inspiration from the Rhône valley of France to craft traditional wines and blends from Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Counoise, Cinsault and Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc, and Picpoul. Lake Chelan was an area that called to them and they’ve grown their business and family on their property overlooking the lake. Listen in as they offer advice for anyone dreaming of a business and their plans for a new 2-story tasting room.

Visit Cairdeas Winery

A different vantage point—e-Bike Wine Tour!

We decided to lug our own e-bikes for the Chelan Electric Bikes wine tour rather than to rent them. Our guide for the day was Caroline and she took us down paths along the river, the main road, through neighborhoods and scenic views on our way to a few wineries that we’ll talk about.

Thank you, Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring our e-bike wine tour with Chelan Electric Bikes!

Standing strong in Lake Chelan—Charlie Lybecker, winemaker for Cairdeas Winery

Rhône inspired wines at Cairdeas Winery in Lake Chelan.

Beautiful Grenache-Syrah rosé at Cairdeas Winery

Cairdeas Winery estate vineyard, Joesph Phelps clone Syrah

Joesph Phelps clone Syrah now at the Cairdeas Winery estate vineyard

What do we do? We ride!—”Merv” and Coroline from Chelan Electric Bikes.

Decanted Podcast e-bikes from Sondors and Rad Powerbikes

We love our Sondors and Rad Power Bikes.

Judy Phelps, Hard Row to Hoe

Happy 10th Anniversary, Lake Chelan AVA!
When we contacted the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce to plan our trip, they connected us to a woman who is one of the leading authorities on this region, Judy Phelps, owner and winemaker of Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards and Winery. Judy and her Vineyard manager husband, Don, are committed to promoting the use of locally grown fruit. Judy shares what makes the Lake Chelan AVA so unique and what varietals should be known. Plus, she reveals the whimsical, yet suggestive name of their winery and the background on the colorful historical events that inspired it.

Visit Hard Row to Hoe

Lake Chelan Upcoming Events

Crush—Oct 2020
Play Your Stay
Winterfest—Jan 17-26, 2020
Play Your Stay (tickets available November 1, 2019)
Red Wine & Chocolate—Feb 2020 (dates to come)
Play Your Stay
Chelan Cycle De Vine—June 2020
Check it out
Lake Chelan Arts Festival—June 2020
Learn More

Our top Lake Chelan wineries to visit

Lake Chelan has a little over 30 wineries and in three and a half days, we visited and tasted through 19 that were recommended by others or we discovered on our own. 19! (Decanted: Doing the hard work) Here are our picks to visit.

Succession Wines (Wine Press Northwest’s 2018 Washington Winery to Watch)
Cairdeas Winery
Rocky Pond Winery (Wine Press Northwest’s 2019 Washington Winery to Watch)
Fielding Hills Winery
Hard Row to Hoe Winery
Nefarious Cellars
Tildio Winery
Karma Vineyards (Wine, Méthode Champenoise bubbles, whiskey and food)
Tsillan Cellars and Sorrento’s Ristorante (book early for outdoor dining)
Siren Song Wines (outdoor bistro style food and wine tasting)
Tipsy Canyon Winery (new tasting room)

Hard Row to Hoe Estate Gewurztraminer, Lake Chelan

Hard Row to Hoe tasting room, Lake Chelan

Visit the cheeky Hard Row to Hoe tasting room and taste some serious wines

Sandi Everingham and Dave Adams from Decanted Podcast

Breakfast on the patio at Blueberry Hills, Lake Chelan

Brock Lindsay, winemaker for Successon Wines, Lake Chelan, WA

Brock Lindsay, winemaker for Successon Wines and manager for Antoine Creek Vineyards

Successon Wines tasting room, Lake Chelan

Gorgeous Succession Wines tasting room with outdoor patio and live music.

Everyone Loves Larry! This young pup is HUGE—he might actually be a polar bear … dunno.

Sparkling wine at Karma Vineyards, Lake Chelan, WA

Stop 1 on e-bike wine tour: Bubbles lineup at Karma Vineyards—perfect way to kick off the tour.

The Tipsy Canyon Viognier from Antoine Creek Vineyards (Brock Lindsay!) is SUBLIME. New tasting room is opening too!

Fielding Hills is a place to relax, soak in the sun and lake view.

Road to Fielding Hills

Taste through a solid lineup of reds at the Fielding Hills tasting room.

We had a great experience at the Tildeo Winery tasting room sipping and sitting in our wine barrel adairondack chairs.

Hang out with the flowery view of Roses Lake under the trees or on the patio

Tsillan Cellars Sorrento’s Ristorante in Lake Chelan, WA

Tsillan Cellars’ Sorrento’s Ristorante—make your reservation early because it’s popular!

Cuisine at Tsillan Cellars Sorrento’s Ristorante in Lake Chelan, WA

Outdoor dining and wonderful cuisine at Tsillan Cellars Sorrento’s Ristorante

Stop 2 on e-bike wine tour: Nefarious Cellars is a bustling tasting room with a solid lineup, views of the lake and estate vineyards

Benson Vineyards tasting room, Lake Chelan, WA

Benson Vineyards tasting room is a popular wine destination and wedding location.

Enjoy a full food and wine tasting menu at Siren Song and feel like you are in Italy. You can even stay at the Villa.

Wood fired pizza at Siren Song Wines, Lake Chelan, WA

Wood fired pizza for lunch at Siren Song

Episode 45 | Doug Tunnell of Brick House and the Ribbon Ridge AVA

Doug Tunnell

Winemaker & Grower, Brick House Vineyard

In this episode, you’ll meet Biodynamic winemaker Doug Tunnell of Brick House Vineyards, whose fascinating life has led him to produce some of the country’s most celebrated Pinot Noir.

Visit the Brick House Vineyard website

Ribbon Ridge AVA: Selected favorites

We recount part one of our epic trip to the Willamette Valley with a focus on the Ribbon Ridge nested-AVA, including several of the favorite wines, wineries, and winemakers we encountered, complete with must-try bottle recommendations, including:

Brick House — 2017 Evelyn’s Pinot (Pommard/Dijon clone): A nose that includes toffee and baking spices, and flavors of soy sauce, tomato paste, baked red fruits, tobacco, and shiitake mushroom.

Beaux Freres —The Beaux Freres Pinot Noir: Bright red strawberry and Creme Brûlée aromatics, followed by a deep, earthy expression of plum and dark cherries. Beaux Freres website

Utopia Vineyards — 2015 Dijon clone 777: Savory, rich, dark expression of pinot whose tannins have developed beautifully over time and are probably at peak. Utopia Vineyards website

Trisaetum Winery — 2017 Pashey Blanc de Blancs, Ribbon Ridge Estate: Fresh citrus and stone fruits on the nose, with a palate that displays enticing flavors of vanilla crème, apricot, and granny smith apple. Trisaetum website

Ayers Vineyard & Winery — 2016 Pioneer Dijon 667 Clone: Caramel nose, followed by a bright red cherry palette and a savory mid-palette featuring herbs, smoke, and wood. Ayers Vineyard website

Eminent Domaine — 2018 Estate Pinot Noir: Black cherry, black tea, baked fruits, and medium tannins. Eminent Domaine website

Visit the Ribbon Ridge AVA Winegrowers website

Doug Tunnell enjoying a tasting of his Brickhouse wines.

This sign means you’ve discovered great wine!

View from the deck at Brick House Vineyards

A view from the deck at the biodynamic Brick House Vineyard.

A snowy view of the brick house of Brick House Vineyards

Brick House Vineyards barn and vineyard view

The barn and vineyard where Doug Tunnell makes the magic of Brick House Winery happen.

The museum-like offices in the big barn at Brick House Vineyards

The laid back tasting room at Beaux Freres is a wonderful place to relax and learn.

An epic tasting awaits you trough the doors of Beaux Freres.

The talented Brad McLeroy of Ayres Vineyard & Winery conducting a tasting with a group of fans.

This is a “sign” that you’ve found Ayers Vineyard & Winery.

The elegant tasting bar at Eminent Domaine.

The indoor tasting room at Eminent Domaine is a marvelous place to sip and enjoy great wines.

Outside seating at Eminent Domaine offers a comfortable perch to enjoy spectacular views of Ribbon Ridge.

Trisaetum Winrey’s outdoor tasting area is just as inspiring as the inside gallery/tasting room.

Is it a tasting room or an art gallery? At Trisaetum, it’s both!

The Clone 777 Pinot at Utopia was a highlight of our Ribbon Ridge visit.

The casual atmosphere at Utopia Vineyard is a comfy hangout for wine nerds and their families.

Utopia Vineyard has plenty to do outside, like bocce ball and corn hole lanes.

Episode 19 | Year in Review 2018

A year to remember

On this episode, Dave and Sandi highlight some of the “best-of” interview clips from our first year.

Bart Fawbush (Episode 1)

Lisa Packer (Episode 5)

Chris Upchurch (Episode 8)

Jarrod & Ali Boyle (Episode 10)

Kent Waliser and Lacey Lybeck (Episode 12)

Seth & Audrey Kitske (Episode 17)

Roy Hersh (Episode 18)

We also share the growth of the wine concept hotel, The Lodge at Columbia Point and offer a few wine recommendations that are stocking our fridge.

Thanks, Dan

We feel much gratitude for the winemakers and wine industry professionals who have partnered with Decanted for our interviews or mini-episodes—we greatly appreciated your generosity.

Props to Spitbucket, Outwines, Equality 365, Aspiring Winos, Weekly Wine Show, Woodinville Wine Blog and all of our new, wine influencer friends—it’s nice to be in great company.

And lastly, we thank one of our listeners—Dan.